Notes

I do my best note-taking on difficult texts if I write while I read, noting section numbers, page numbers, and questions I have as I go.  Then, I can come back later and see what I thought at that moment so that the sound of my crazy Maine Coon, Benjamin Franklin, knocking a stack of books down from a shelf doesn't ruin work I've been doing for hours.  

Notes are always useful when talking to other people.  This way, you don't have to remember all of the information in its entirety all the time, and have directions to relevant parts of the text available at all times.